The investors are allowed to trade forwards, forex swaps and options over the counter with banks, according to a circular released by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE).

Access was granted in light of the increased presence of overseas institutional investors, which held bonds worth 870 billion yuan (126.6 billion U.S. dollars) by the end of 2016, up 83.4 billion yuan from 2015, SAFE said.

China will deepen the opening-up of its foreign exchange market by creating more trade tools and allowing more participants, SAFE said.